Royal Watch News

Queen Elizabeth welcomes torch bearers

Jul 11, 2012, 12:01 GMT

Queen Elizabeth

Britain's Queen Elizabeth welcomed Olympic torchbearers to her home yesterday (10.07.12).

The queen and her husband Prince Philip watched from the quadrangle of Windsor Castle as torchbearer Gina Macgregor, 74, ran into the space after earlier receiving the flame from Renate Beynon, 66.

Typically during the relay, when the flame is exchanged between runners they touch their torches together, known as a 'kiss moment' but so the royals were able to watch a handball demonstration from schoolchildren, the flame was put into a lantern.

The queen looked shocked as the flame on Mrs. Macgregor's torch was turned off, while Philip laughed and held the torch for a few seconds before handing it back.

Following the demonstration, 12-year-old Philip Wells had his torch lit and then carried the flame out of the royal residence.

Torrential rain forced guests to shelter under the castle's Sovereign Entrance and meant Mrs. Macgregor arrived soaking wet.

She joked to the queen - who wore a rain cape and carried an umbrella - and her husband: 'I looked fine this morning', prompting laughter from the royal couple.

Speaking afterwards, the torch bearer said: 'We were just talking about the weather, I said 'what have I done to deserve this?' the queen said, 'This English weather, it's not been good'.'